Compression control



Nov. 1, 1938. Q PHILLIPS 2,134,889

COMPRESS ION CONTROL Filed July 6, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 V- 1938. B. c. PHILLIP-S 4,

COMPRES S ION CONTROL.

Filed July 6, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Nov. 1, 1938. B. c. PHLPLIPS 2,134,889 7 COMiRESSION GONTRQL Filed July 6, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR BERNARD C. PHILLIPS ATTORNEY Nov. 1, 19380 B. C. PHILLIPS COMPRESSION CONTROL Filed July 6, 1935' 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Nov. 1, 1938. B. c. PHILLIPS COMPRESSION CONTROL Filed July 6, 1955 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNVENTOR Sill UNiT

o sTATss COMPRESSION CUNTR/UL Bernard 0. Phillips, Detroit,

direct and mesne assignments,

Mich, asslgnor, by to Frank ill.

8 Claims.

My invention relates to compression control systems such as are adapted to internal combustion engines. 1 The object of my invention is to provide a means to control the compression pressure of the engine in accordance with engine requirements.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide suitable means for controlling the maximum pressures of an overcompressed engine and thereby obtain high efficiency at partial loads.

Another object of my invention is to provide a means to regulate or adjust the compression pressure of an internal combustion engine to avoid detonation when different grades of gaso-= line or other fuels are used.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for increasing the compression pressure of an internal combustion engine at high altitudes. In the present type of internal combustion engine a rise in altitude is attended by a drop in compressio pressure while with the use of my invention the compression pressure can. be lrept substantially constant.

Another object of my invention is to produce a means which permits the lowering of the compression pressure to reduce the detonation or a. launchproducing tendency of carbon formation.

Another desirable feature of the invention is lowering of the minimtun speed of the engine. ince the manifold vacuum does not fall to a value approaching zero at very low speeds, the resulting high velocity and reduced pressure atomizes the fuel more thoroughly, making a mixture that will lift more readily at the valve port. This feature oi good pulverization or fuel at low rates of fluid flow permitsthe use of large intalre passageways which will assist the engine in developing maximum power at high speeds Where the invention may be calibrated to be inoperative.

in the present design of internal combustion engines it is necessary to use a compression ratio such that the engine will operate without undue detonation at low speeds, with a certain grade of gasoline. Consequently, agiven engine is limited in the grade of gasoline that can be used for operation, and considerable power drop is assumed at high speeds. With the use of my invention an engine can be designed with a. higher compression ratio than it could normally use since the detonation tendency is lessened at low speeds.

With the above and other objects in view, I have hereinafter described means of carrying out (Cl. wit-Mill the objects, in the form of description of apps.- ratus illustrated on the accompanying drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in section of a carburetor and an intalre manifold embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of the invention as applied to. an internal combustion engine of the type used in automoh'lles.

Fig. 3 is a plot illustrating the normal open throttle restriction and controlled restriction throughout the how range.

Fig. 4 is a'diagrammatic representation of the term oi this invention substantially accordance With the structure of Fig. i.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the invention showing a different construction.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of iundamentals of Fig. l excepting the is controlled by a barometric sensitive element.

Fig. 'l is a diagrammatic view oi the iunda mentals of Fig. 1 showing electrical eilort substituted for the opening iorces oi both the suction piston and spring.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the lands.- men-tals of Fig. 1 with magnetic effort substituted tor the spring.

9 is a diagrammatic view oi a combination oi the throttle opening control of Fig. 7 and closing control. oi Figs.

Fig. lit is a diagran'imatic view oi a construc tion similar to 5' with thermostatic control of the closing effort on the throttling member.

ii. is a diagrammatic v of comb-ination showing hydraulic opening throttle member.

Fig. i2 is a diagrammatic view of combination showing hydraulic closing oi the throttling member.

Referring to oi the drawings, the plot there shown has reieren-ce to the normal open throttle manifold depression and the depression as controlled by the construction shown in Fig. l. in the plot the abscissae represents the volume of mixture r'low in cubic ieet per minute. The ordinates represent the manifold vacuum in inches of mercury. "The curve represents the flow resistance of a normal induction system. it is to be noted that for the lower dovv rates this resistance is comparatively low, which insures high engine volumetric elldciency. The rapid increase of the now resistance at the high flow rates causes a corresponding laclr of proper cylinder filling. Since the tendency for an englue to knocfr while operating under open throttle varies with the compression pressure it :iollows that the average engine will detonate more severely at low and intermediate speeds. Since internal combustion engines, especially of the automotive type, use as high a compression ratio as possible without appreciable knocking at any speed, it follows that some power and efficiency must be sacrificed at high speeds by the selection of a compression ratio that will not cause detonation at low speeds. By using a lower clearance combustion chamber and controlling the open throttle induction resistance to some curve similar to DEC Fig. 3, the knocking tendency due to compression would be substantially constant throughout the speed range, and the thermal efflciency would be increased at all speeds and loads. In some engines there would be a little loss of power at low speeds but this slight sacriflce would be more than offset by the gain in efficiency and the increase in power at high speeds.

Some engines are lacking in detonation tendency at high speeds which would permit removal of the intake throttling at some flow rate considerably below that corresponding to maximum speed. For such engines a throttling curve cor responding to DEBC should be followed for maximum results.

Fig. 1 shows a device designed to take advantage of these fundamental internal combustion engine characteristics.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings l is an updraft carburetor connected to an intake manifold 2. In the inlet of the intake manifold 2 is located a butterfly valve 3 rigidly mounted on a shaft 4. Without the intake manifold 2 is a double armed lever 5 which is rigidly fastened to the shaft 4. At one end of the lever 5 is fastened a trunnion 5. One end of the spring 1 is fastened to the trunnion 6 and the opposite end of the spring is connected to the dash controlbutton stem, having notches 8 which engage with the plate 9.

It is to be noted that varying the position of the dash control button In changes the tension of the spring I. 1y maintained by the interlocking of notches 8 with the plate 9.

The piston I2 is located in the cylinder H. The operating clearance between the cylinder H and piston I2 is necessarily low in order to substantially produce a gas tight fit. There is very little clearance between the piston l2 and the cylinder H. One end of the cylinder H communicates with the intake manifold 2 through the passageway ll. The passageway I1 terminates near the most restricted portion of the venturi l 5. The left end of the cylinder is vented to the breather pipe or to the upper part of the crankcase through the passageway 20. This prevents dust and dirt from entering the cylinder H which would cause the cylinder walls and piston to wear or cause the piston to stick. The venting of the cylinder H to the crankcase has an additional feature in that a very small amount of oil vapor is constantly drawn into the unit thus lubricating the mechanism.

The piston rodv I8 is connected to one arm of the lever 5 by means of the loose link it so that when the piston l2 moves the lever 5 moves which in turn operates the butterfly valve 3.

Assuming the invention is installed on a motor car with abnormally low clearance volume, the operation of my invention is as follows:

When the engine is not running the only force that is applied to the double armed lever 5 is the force applied by the spring 1. This tends to ro- The desired position is securetate the butterfly valve 3 in a clockwise direction, consequently the butterfly valve 3 substantially closes the passageway in the intake manifold 2.

As soon as the engine is cranked or started the pressure in the intake manifold becomes sub-atmospheric. This sub-atmospheric pressure or vacuum is applied to the right side of the piston i 2 by means of the passageway H, the tube M and the passageway IS. The atmospheric pressure on the left side of the piston I2 moves the piston to the right. This turns the lever 5 which elongates spring 1 until. the increased tension in the spring 1 balances the difference of the at" mospheric pressure and vacuum which are respectively applied to the two faces of the piston l2. It will readily be seen that the greater the manifold vacuum the further to the right the piston l2 will be located when an equilibrium of pressure is reached between the operating forces. At high vacuum, say 6 inches of mercury or above, the piston 12 will travel to the right end of the cylinder. When the vacuum drops in the intake manifold the spring tension more than. overcomes the difference between the forces of the atmospheric pressure and the vacuum on the piston 12. The spring then shortens and the piston moves to the left until the forces are again in equilibrium.

As soon as the engine is started, with the carburetor throttle in the idling position, the vacuum in the intake manifold 2 causes the piston to move to the right simultaneously opening the valve 3. The relationship of the various parts under these conditions is shown in Fig. 1. If the carburetor throttle is gradually opened to a load not greater than about three fourths full load, the vacuum in the intake manifold '2 drops gradually but remains high enough to keep the butterfly valve 3 open. Thus if the automobile is gradually speeded up the valve 3 remains open and is ineffective. If the automobile is kept running at any constant speed substantially below top speed the intake manifold vacuum remains high enough to keep the valve open.

From this it can readily be seen that a partial throttle or ordinary driving the engine, equipped with my invention, has all the advantages of a very high or over-compressed engine.

If the engine is running at partial throttle and then the throttle is suddenly opened the manifold vacuum suddenly drops. The resultant force of the two forces acting on the two faces of the piston I2 is then overcome by the tension of spring 1. The lever 5 then rotates and partially closes the valve 3. As the valve 3 is closed the in actual practice this state of equilibrium reached in a fraction of a second.

If the carburetor throttle remains open and the car speed increa es the throttling valve 3 will gradually open, thus maintaining a practically constant manifold vacuum at low and intermediate speeds. is the speed of the engine increases and approaches its power peak, the suction due to the velocity of flow of fluid in the venturi [5 becomes .an important factor. This reduced pressure is then applied to the right side of the piston l2 through the passageways ll and H, consequently the valve 3 will be opened earlier in respect to mixture flow than it would if the piston I 2 would not be subjected to the reduced pressure of the venturi l5. It will read- 7 my invention the compression ily be seen that at high engine speeds and wide open throttle the valve 3 will be wide open.

An alternate construction in which it is possible to substitute the carburetor venturi for the action of the venturi i is shown by the ball check valves 24 and 25 and the pipe it terminating in the carburetor venturi The action of the check valves is as follows: Under light loads the high vacuum in the manifold 2 draws ball it off its seat and the lower ball M is held closed, thus applying the high manifold vacuum to the piston it. Under the condition. of low" speeds and heavy engine load the balls will keep the position shown in Fig. 1. but the throttle blade will be in an intermediate position determined by the tension of spring l and the rate of fluid flow. At high speeds the velocity suction head in venturi it becomes eiiective and draws ball i l on its seat and opens ball checlr. 2b. The velocity head is then applied to the piston ill to reopen the throttling member In this manner an engine with an abnormally low clearance volume may be automatically throttled throughout the maximum torque range and'progressively dethrottled at higher speeds, thus increasing the effective compression and efflciency at high speeds to offset the'normal loss of power due to the drop in volumetric efdciency. it can readily be seen that with the use of my invention many of the advantages oi a high compression engine are obtained without detonation.

My invention also has a means whereby the spring tension of the spring "i may be varied. The dash button ill is connected to the spring l by a wire or other means. The broken line ill indicates the connection. its the lrnob ill pulled out the notches ll engage with the plate Si, holding the lrnob it in the desired position. The spring tension lfi'thBl'l increased so it re quires a greater manifold vacuum to open the butterfly valve it, which means that for a given engine speed the valve 53 will be more nearly closed than if the additional spring tension had not been added. This in turn means a decreased compression pressure. By means of this control a lower grade of fuel may be used and the operator can control the compression pressure in. such a way as to avoid objectionable detonation.

In the same manner the compression pressure can be regulated to meet engine requirements. For example, when there is considerable carbon in the engine the engine will detonate more eas ily. By simply increasing the spring tension oi pressure is lowcred and detonation no longer occurs.

K Fig. 2 shows the invention applied to an internal combustion engine of the type used in. automobiles, the pipe line 22 of Figure i being omitted.

Referring to Fig. 5 it will be seen that the form of the invention shown is composed of an unbalanced throttling valve 2 mounted on a shaft ,l and suitably limited to a piston 5 and spring d by linkage 3 and 4. The piston 5 operates in a cylinder 6 and is connected to a restricted portion of the intake passageway it by a tube "i. Spring ll exerts a closing eifort on the valve 2 through the arm The control button ill allows manual regulation of the tension of spring 9.

The operation of the device as shown in Fig. 5 is as follows;

If the engine is not running the position of the various parts will be substantially as shown. At

light'loads and low speeds the valve 2 will be slightly open. As load and speed is increased the manifold by the tube l.

the valve will open further in response to engine demand. After a predetermined flow rate is reached the suction due to high velocity in the restricted portion t is great enough to cause the piston to overcome the spring a and other forces and entirely open valve t.

The diagrammatic construction shown in Fig. 6 is identical to Fig. l in operation with the exception that instead oi manual control of spring 9, it is controlled automatically by a barometric sensitive element ill.

it is well lrnown that the compression pressure and power output of an internal combustion engine decrease with altitude. if a low clearance combustion chamber is fitted to such an engine the power developed at high altitudes will be greater but such an engine will lrnocls dangerously under iull load at the lower levels. The common remedy in the past has been to manually throttle such an engine progressively altitude is lost. The objection to this method is that the control is too sensitive and requires constant attention. The design in (i overcomes this diificulty in the iollowing manner: low altitudes and high barometric pressures the tilled bellows iii is compressed thereby increasing the tension of spring The increased closing efior't of spring ll transmitted to throttle shalt i will cause a higher vacuum in passageway it in order to give the piston suihcient power to open the throttle the required amount. high altitudes the ac-- tion is reversed. proper design and calibra tion oi this form of my lvention an overcompressed or supercharged may be properly and automatically throt Fig. l is a diagramma' ring of a construction that has the same efle on. an internal com bustion engine as however, the source of throttle control energy is electrical instead of mechanical. This particular design is adaptable for remote control where electrical energy is plentiiul such a electric generating plant.

itei'erring to "dig. l, and t compose the throttling member. This throttling member is suitably linlred to the ma netic armatures t and i l by linhage and 2-. current source it is connected to the magnets by a switch ill. The strength of magnet be controlled by d rheostat iii. The vacuum cylinder isconnected to The piston ii operates the rheostat lilo against a calibrated spring it and. thus regulates the current ilow through magnet i l.

The operation is as iollovvs:

Assuming the switch it is closed and the engine idling or operating under a light load, the vacuum in the manifold will be comparatively high and will draw piston t into cylinder 6 and in doing so the resistance to current flow to magnet i l will be lessened. Thus magnet it will be the controlling member and the throttling member 2 will be opened. it the throttle is opened the vacuum in maniiold b will attempt to drop to low valve. If the vacuum drops below a predetermined value the spring it will withdraw piston b from cylinder ii and thereby increase the resistance to current flow'in coil i l. Coil t will temporarily attempt to close the throttle 2. However, as the throttling member t is closed the vacuum in manifold d is increased and a balance is soon assumed between the 0pening and closing efforts on the throttling member 2. This balance oi the throttle controlling forces may be selectively controlled by the rheostat it which regulates the closing effort on the magnet 9. Thus the less the resistance used in rh'eostat I5 the greater will be the minimum vacuum. in manifold 8.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a combination of the throttle closing means of Fig. 'l and a throttle opening means of Figs. 1 and O. The operation is substantially the same as described for Fig. 1. It is to be noted that where magnetic means is used to preload or open the valve 2 no special means is necessary to reopen the throttle at high flow rates when such a condition is desirable. The reason being, of course, thi t a spring must necessarily increase in effort as it is deflected while a solenoid may be designed to in crease or decrease in effort m desired.

Fig. 9 shows a combination of the throttle cics ing means of Fig. i and the opening means of Fig. 7. The ultimate effect on the engine is sub stantially the same as described for The switch i6 may be used as a remote control to stop the flow of fluid or allow the valve 2 to close to a predetermined position.

Fig. 10 is composed of the "throttle valve and throttle opening, means of Fig. like members referring to like parts. The throttle construction is composed of a thermostatic spring 8 operating on shaft I through suitable linkage I ii, 85 and I 2. The spring 9 is thermally connected to the engine usually close to the exhaust system or water jackets.

The operation is as follows:

When the engine is cold the thermostatic spring deflects in a direction to increase the closing effort on valve 2. The result of this increased closing effort is to increase the depression in the engine side of the manifold I3. The increased depression and higher fluid velocity past the valve 2- atomizes the mixture thoroughly allowing the engine to be operated almost normally at temperatures approaching zero. As the engine warms up to normal temperature, the tension in excess of the predetermined tensionis progressivelylessened to normal.

Fig. 11 shows a variation of the principles described in Fig. 1. The closing effort on the throttling member is obtained by mechanical means substantially the same as described in Fig. 1. However, the automatic opening and regulating effort is secured by a combination of hydraulic and pneumatic methods. Referring to Fig. 11 it will be noted that a bellows III is connected to receive suction from the passageway 8 through tube I and operates an escapement valve I I. The cylinder has a suitable piston 5 therein which is linked to the throttle shaft I. A source of hydraulic pressure may be constantly supplied to cylinder 6 by a tube I2. The operation of this combination is as follows:

Under idling conditions where there is a high vacuum in the passageway 8 the bellows I0 is caused to shorten which closes valve I I. The hydraulic pressure supplied by pipe I2 is then exerted on the piston 5 and opens valve 2 against the closing effort of spring 9.

If the engine is idling and the throttle is suddenly opened the vacuum in passageway 8 will drop momentarily to a low value allowing the bellows I0 to elongate and open valve II. Since there is little or no opening effort being exerted on the throttle valve 2 it will be closed by spring 9. The closing of the valve 2 causes the vacuum in the passageway 8 to rise again to a predetermined value where the bellows again becomes the controlling element. As the flow in the passageway increases the valve 2 will progressively open in order to keep the downstream vacuum substantially constant.

Fig. 12 is a combination of pneumatic control. of hydraulic effort operating to close the throttling member against a mechanical opening effort. The hydraulic piston 5 operates through linkage I0 and H to close the throttling member. Automatic regulation of the hydraulic pressure operating on piston 5 is accomplished by a vacuum controlled vent composed of a valve 2, a spring I3, piston Ii, cylinder I5, and suction tube '5, terminating in venturi G. Hydraulic pressure is supplied through tube 33. Spring 3 exerts an opening effort on shaft i through arm 3 The operation is as follows: Under light loads when the vacuum in the manifold is relatively high piston I4 will be drawn to the right and the escapement valve M will be open. Since under this condition the pressure is low in. cylinder the spring 8 is the controlling factor and the throttling member 2 is opened. low speeds under heavy loads, the vacuum applied on piston IQ is insufficient to compress spring i3. Vent i2; is then closed and the pressure operating on piston 5 is great enough to close the throttle valve 2. The manifold vacuum then rises to a predetermined value where a balance is reached be tween the vacuum and the vent valve I2. At a predetermined relatively high rate of flow the velocity suction head in the venturi El becomes effective and opens the valve Spring 9 in Figs. 11 and 12 is of the thermostatic type' Where temperature variation is an important factor. The effort of this spring may also be varied by a barometric sensitive element if atmospheric pressure is deemed the ruling condltion.

While I have described several embodiments of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the particular forms shown and described, as it will be apparent that many modifications therein may be made without departing from the scope of my invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A throttling device for controlling the flow into an internal combustion engine of the final air and fuel mixture, comprising a valve normally substantially obstructing the intake of said mixtureinto said engine, and means operatively connecting two suction portions of the engine remote from each other to said valve whereby an opening effort is exerted against the valve in response to the suction in that one of said portions where the depression is greater.

2. In an internal combustion engine, an intake manifold, a carburetor, a venturi in said carburetor, an intake conduit communicating between said venturi and said manifold, a valve in said conduit for controlling the flow into the manifold of the final fuel and air mixture, variably adjustable means exerting a continuous closing effort of predetermined magnitude on said valve, 9. piston operatively connected to said valve, a cylinder operatively housing said piston and having one end thereof in communication with a region of substantially atmospheric pressure, two channels connecting the other end of the cylinder to the intake manifold and venturi, respectively, and a one way valve in each of said channels to expose the cylinder to the suction of either the manifold or venturi depending upon whlchever Is greater, the piston being movable within the cylinder under the influence of the depression in the cylinder against the action of said adjustable means. 1

3. A throttling device for controlling the flow into an internal combustion engine of the final air and fuel mixture, comprising a valve normally substantially obstructing the intake of said mixture into said engine, means coacting with said valve for yieldably holding it in its normal position, and means operatively connecting two suction portions of the engine remote from each other to said valve whereby an opening effort is exerted against the valve in response to the suction in that one of said portions where the depression is greater,

4. A throttling device for controlling the flow into an internal combustion engine of the final air and fuel mixture from the carburetor throttle valve, comprising an intermediate valve positioned in the intake passageway between said throttle valve and the cylinders of the engine, adjustable means eooperably connected to said intermediate valve and exerting a continuous closing effort thereon, and suction responsive means connected to and adapted to actuate said intermediate valve against the action of said adjustable means and operatively communicating with a suction portion of the engine on. that side of the said intermediate valve remote from the carburetor.

5. In an internal combustion engine, an intake manifold, an intake conduit communicating between the carburetor throttle valve and the said manifold, an intermediate valve in said conduit for controlling the fiow into the manifold of the final fuel and air mixture, yieldable means exerting a continuous closing effort on said intermediate valve, single suction responsive means operatively connected to said intermediate valve, and two passageways operatively connecting said suction responsive means with said manifold and said intake conduit respectively, whereby the depression in said manifold or intake conduit, which ever is greater, will actuate said suction responsive means to operate the intermediate valve against the action of said yieldable means.

6. In an internal combustion engine, a carlouretor including a throttle valve, an intake manifold, an intake passageway for the final fuel and air mixture between the carburetor and intake manifold, an. intermediate valve in said passageway for controlling the flow of said mixture, a cylinder communicating at one end with a region of substantially atmospheric pressure and at the other end with a suction portion of said intake passageway disposed on the engine side of the intermediate valve, a piston positioned within the cylinder and operatively connected to said intermediate valve, and a resilient member exterior of the said passageway and exerting a closing effort on the intermediate valve, the piston being movable within the cylinder under the influence of the depression in said intake passageway against the action of said yieldable member to operably move said intermediate valve.

'7. In an internal combustion engine, a carburetor including a throttle valve, an intake manifold, an intake conduit communicating between the carburetor and the said manifold, an intermediate valve in said conduit for controlling the flow into the manifold of the final fuel and air mixture, yieldable means exerting a continuous closing effort on said intermediate valve, a single cylinder communicating at one end with a region of substantially atmospheric pressure and at the other end with said manifold and intake conduit respectively, a piston positioned within the cylinder and operatively connected to said intermediate valve, the piston being movable within the cylinder under the influence of the depression in said manifold or intake conduit, whichever is greater, against the action of said yieldable means to actuate the said intermediate valve.

8. In an internal combustion engine, an intake manifold, a carburetor including a throttle valve, an intake conduit communicating between said carburetor and said manifold, an intake valve in said conduit for controlling the flow into the manifold of the final fuel and air mixture, vari-.

ably adjustable means exerting a continuous clos-- ing effort of predetermined magnitude on said intermediate valve, a piston operatively connected to said intermediate valve, a cylinderhousing said piston and communicating at one portion thereof with a region of substantially atmospheric pressure and at another portion with said manifold, the piston being movable within the cylinder under the influence of the depression in said manifold against the action of said adjustable means to actuate the intermediate'valve, said adjustable means being exterior of the conduit and adapted for direct connection with actuating means.

' EERN C. PHILLIPS. 

